No-high zone at the airport, anti-edibles initiatives and more

CannaBiz

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After it seemed the Colorado Springs Airport would decline to follow in Denver International Airport's steps, city officials announced last week that they, too, will be disallowing cannabis possession — at least in "the passenger terminal facility, overhangs and general aviation area, also known as the Air Operations Area."

The move comes under federal pressure to do so, and means violators face a fine up to $2,500 and possible jail time. So-called "amnesty boxes" will be installed in the terminal for passengers to drop their pot, which will then be destroyed by police.

"Although possession of marijuana is allowed in the State of Colorado, it is still considered an illegal controlled substance under federal law," reads a statement. "The airport recognizes the need to protect the federal interests identified in the Department of Justice's guidance ..."

See p. 12 for more on surrounding issues.

Cut down on brownies

Rumors have swirled lately that anti-marijuana group Smart Colorado will push legislation limiting infused products. When contacted, spokeswoman Diane Carlson didn't address the specifics, but did say in an email that the group is interested in the topic.

"We at Smart are deeply concerned about the increased availability and commercialization of edibles (foods, candies and sodas) that are particularly attractive to kids," she writes, "as well as the availability of marijuana concentrates which can reach potency levels of 70% and above that aren't legal anywhere else in the world."

Demanding deposits

Pressure on the federal government to fix the banking limitations faced by the marijuana industry intensified Friday, when U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, and Reps. Diana DeGette, Ed Perlmutter, Mike Coffman and Jared Polis wrote the Justice Department asking it to "issue guidance in the most expeditious manner possible."

Keef crumbs

• Denver activist Michelle LaMay (relief4possession.webs.com) is making another run at getting an amendment prohibiting all criminal penalties for possession of cannabis on the ballot, and had her first hearing with the Colorado Title Board on Wednesday. In the meantime: "From that day to July 15 we will be getting the petition out: need money, big money bad!" she writes to the Indy. "Have to stay on track to collect 3000 signatures a week!"

• Similarly, a District group recently filed a ballot initiative with the Washington, D.C., Board of Elections, the Associated Press reported last Friday. It would allow possession of up to 2 ounces.

• An entrepreneur quoted in Sunday's Seattle Times calls Washington's newly legalized industry a "golden ticket." The paper reports the state has received 2,035 applications for 334 proposed licenses.